CH713389A1 - System linking a tree to a room. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting system for a timepiece comprising: a shaft (2) on which a component (1) of a timepiece is intended to be mounted, said shaft (2) having a first structure of a axial stop (23), and a rotational stop structure (20) having a rotational stop geometry, an axial stop member (3) having an opening (30) shaped to enabling, in at least one angular position of said axial stop element (3) relative to the shaft (2), a translational engagement on the shaft (2) and the passage of the first axial stop structure ( 23), and a support on said first axial stop structure (23) in at least one other angular position, called a stop position, a radial holding element (4), arranged to cooperate with the element of solidarity. stop and having an opening (40) shaped to cooperate with the structure stopping (20) said shaft (2) to prevent rotation of the holding member around said shaft (2).

Description

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a connection system that makes it possible, in particular, to assemble a workpiece and a shaft, with displacement in relative translation between the workpiece and the shaft, while limiting this displacement. This connection system may concern the assembly of a component on a shaft forming an axis for the component, or the mounting of a pusher with reference to a pusher tube attached to a box. The component may be free to rotate relative to the shaft or not.

STATE OF THE ART [0002] Certain pivoting elements composing a watch movement are rigidly assembled on a shaft pivoted between two bearings. The bearings are arranged in elements of the frame (in a bridge and a plate or in two bridges) of the timepiece. Such an assembly occupies a relatively large volume, because of the frame elements to be arranged. In addition, when a bridge has bearings for several distinct pivots, the assembly can be difficult. Such an arrangement has other disadvantages related to the staking of the bearings. Indeed, the stones forming the same bearing must be perfectly aligned. In case of shock, we can not exclude the risk of a stone being covered.

Alternatively, some mobiles are assembled freely in rotation on a shaft mounted rigidly on a frame member or on another movable member. The component on the shaft can be advantageously mounted flying to reduce the bulk of the construction, that is to say on a shaft with a free end. We must then position the mobile translation on its shaft, taking into account a game allowing its rotation, while ensuring that it is located in its operating plane. By positioning the mobile in translation, it is intended to limit its stroke to an operating position, with or without play, or with a given stroke to ensure a function, as is the case for example for a pusher.

To position the mobile on his tree, different solutions exist. For example, you can hunt a plug at the end of the tree. Such a solution requires to control the depth of the hunting and the force of the latter, in order to have an effective clamping resistant to shocks. However disassembly is then difficult and frequently destructive, wear resulting from several cycles of assembly / disassembly can reduce the resistance irreversibly. The aesthetic appearance obtained is sometimes also unsatisfactory. Another solution lies in the use of split rings of circlip type, allowing disassembly relatively easier, but still delicate given the size of the washers and the difficulty in handling them. Such a solution is also not very reliable in terms of security.

The present invention aims to provide a connection system compact, lightweight, easy to implement, both during assembly and during disassembly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0006] More specifically, the invention relates to a connecting system for a timepiece comprising: a shaft on which a component of a timepiece is intended to be mounted, said shaft having a first axial stop structure, and a rotational stop structure, preferably having a non-circular geometry, - an axial stop member having an opening shaped to allow, in at least one angular position, axial stop member relative to the shaft, a translational engagement along the axis of the shaft and the passage of the first axial stop structure, and a bearing surface for cooperating with said first axial stop structure in at least one other angular position, said stop position, - a radial holding element, arranged to cooperate integrally with the axial stop element and provided with an open ure shaped to cooperate with the rotational stop structure of said shaft to prevent rotation of the holding member around said shaft.

The connection system may further comprise a second axial stop structure, said axial stop member being positioned between the first and second axial stop structures.

[0008] Advantageously, the second axial stop structure is formed by the surface of a piece attached to the axis, which may be chosen in particular from a barrel member, a regulating member, a disc of display, a mobile, a cam, or part of a watch case such as a middle part or push tube, the shaft being able in this case for example to be that of a pusher, a corrector or a rod winding.

The second axial stop structure may also be formed by a projecting portion of the shaft.

The axial stop member may have a shape profile, with which a profile of the radial holding member can cooperate to lock it in rotation.

The rotational stop structure and the radial holding member are arranged to lock the axial stop member in a stop position.

Such a connection system can advantageously be applied in a timepiece in which the component is mounted flying on the shaft having a free end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing in which: FIGS. 1 to 4 show a preferred embodiment of a connection system according to the invention, in different positions that its elements occupy during assembly, FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative for implementing the invention, and FIG. 6 proposes a second embodiment.

Embodiment of the Invention [0014] The invention relates to a timepiece linkage system making it possible, in a first embodiment mainly described, to easily assemble a workpiece on a shaft, on which the workpiece in question is intended to be mounted mobile.

The connection system comprises a shaft 2. In the example, the shaft 2 is a barrel shaft. It is intended to be assembled to a component 1 of a timepiece. In the example given by way of a simple non-limiting illustration, the component 1 is a power reserve mobile arranged to allow the display of the power reserve of the barrel, and which is rotatably mounted on the shaft.

The shaft 2 has a first axial stop structure 23, formed by a projecting element or advantageously by a groove. This first axial stop structure 23 is intended to provide a support preventing translation along the axis of the shaft 2, an element 3 which will be described below.

Advantageously, the groove is delimited, on the side of the end of the shaft 2, by a flange, particularly forming the axial stop structure 23 and on which the aforementioned element can bear, and the side of the component 1, by a rib, which defines a second axial stop structure 24.

The shaft 2 further comprises a rotational stop structure 20, having a non-circular geometry 21. This rotational stop structure 20 is intended to provide a support preventing rotation around the axis of the shaft. shaft 2 of a second element 4 which will be described below. Advantageously, the axial stop structure 23 and the rotational stop structure 20 are contiguous along the shaft 2. It will be noted that the rotational stop structure could be circular with a locking in rotation made by a pin taking place in a transverse hole.

The geometrical dimensions of the axial and rotational stop structures depending on the elements with which they are intended to cooperate, these will be explained later.

The connection system further comprises an axial stop element 3 having an opening 30 shaped to allow, in at least one angular position of said axial stop element 3 with respect to the shaft 2, an engagement with translation on the shaft 2 and the passage of the first axial stop structure 23 through the opening 30, and a first bearing surface 33 on the said first axial stop structure 23 in at least one other angular position , said stop position. Advantageously, the opening 30 also allows the passage of the rotational stop structure 20. When in the groove, the axial stop element 3 is guided in rotation on the shaft 2. This guidance in rotation can advantageously be facilitated by respective circular surfaces 35 and 25 cooperating together.

In the preferred embodiment, the axial stopping element 3 takes the form of a wafer. In terms of thickness, the axial stop element 3 is dimensioned so that, once the rotational stop structure 20 has passed through the opening 30, it is positioned in the groove of the shaft 2, between the first 23 and the second 24 axial stop structures, supported by a second bearing surface 34, located on the opposite side to the first bearing surface 33.

Thus, the difference between on the one hand the distance between the first 23 and second 24 axial stop structures and, on the other hand, the thickness of the axial stop element 3, defines the game. of this element. Now, the axial stopping element 3 is intended to hold on the shaft 2 the component 1 of the timepiece. The play of the element 3 can thus also make it possible to define the play of the watch component on the shaft 2, if the component 1 is sized to come flush with a surface 14 at the level of the second axial stop structure 24.

It may be noted that, advantageously, the axial stopping element 3 could comprise a second level of thickness defining a third bearing surface 34 ', as shown in FIG. 5, intended to cooperate with the watch component. To do this, the wafer could be bordered by a rib 38 or pins projecting parallel to the shaft 2. It is thus possible to define by two different surfaces, on the one hand the play of the axial stop element 3 in the groove of the shaft 2, and secondly the play of the watch component 1, and use this means for other purposes, such as a pairing that may be made necessary by complex dimension chains. As proposed in FIG. 5, by reversing the axial stop element 3, two different heights can be defined, making it possible to adapt to a component of different dimensions.

The connection system according to the invention further comprises a radial holding element 4, arranged to cooperate integrally with the axial stop element 3 and having an opening 40 shaped to cooperate with the stop structure in rotation 20 of said shaft 2 to prevent rotation of the holding member around said shaft 2. The opening 40 may be open or blind.

The radial retaining element 4 can take the form of a cap when it is intended to take the end position of the shaft 2. It comprises a first level provided with a non-circular housing 42 in which can a corresponding profile 32 of the axial stop element 3 is fitted. It also comprises a second level comprising said opening 40. The shape thereof corresponds to that of the rotational stop structure 20, in order to link in rotation the rotation holding member 4 and the shaft 2 when the holding member is positioned with its second level in the plane of the rotational stop structure 20. Various respective shapes for the opening 40 and the Rotational stop structure 20 may be contemplated by those skilled in the art to prevent rotation of the radial holding member 4.

We can choose to link the radial retaining element 4 to the axial stop element 3 or to the shaft 2, the connection with the other of the two elements can then be performed with a set, for s ensure the isostatism of the system. It will be possible to provide a driving, an interlocking, for example by using combined dovetail type profiles with a very small slope but sufficient to ensure the maintenance, or any fixation between the two elements, the holding element axial 3 being secured by its adjustment in the housing 42 and in the groove (23, 24, 25) of the shaft 2.

In terms of dimensional ratios, the skilled person can adapt the shapes of the openings of the axial stop member 3 and the radial holding member 4, relative to the axial and radial stop structures of so that: - the axial stop element 3 can take position in the groove of the shaft 2 by passing the rotational stop structure 20; for this passage, the axial stop element 3 occupies at least a first angular position relative to the shaft 2; once in the groove, the axial stop element 3 can be pivoted about the axis of the shaft 2, and can be arranged to bear against the flange 23 of the axial stop structure; the radial retaining element 4 can fit on the rotational stop structure 20, to limit the rotation of the radial retaining element 4 on the shaft 2; and can cooperate with the axial stopping element 3 to also keep the latter in rotation, this co-operation being obtained by adjusting the axial stopping element 3 in the housing 42 of the radial retaining element 4.

Advantageously, it is possible to use oblong shapes for the opening 30 of the axial stopping element 3 and the opening 40 of the radial holding element 4, as well as for the stopping structure in FIG. rotation 20.

We can define 11 and L1, as respectively the small and the large dimensions of the oblong forming the rotational stop structure 20,12 and L2 as respectively the small and the large dimensions of the oblong formed by the section of the shaft 2 at the throat. It can be noted that the shaft 2 may not be oblong at the groove with I2 = L2. For the sake of clarity, it is further specified that 11 and I2 are dimensions along parallel lines, and L2 and L1 also, with 11 perpendicular to L1 and therefore I2 perpendicular to L2.

In the example, for the sake of simplification of manufacture, the oblong of the rotational stop structure 20 is a truncated cylinder, having two parallel opposite flanks 21, and defining the length 11. The flanks extend. at the level of the throat.

We can define I3 and L3 as respectively the small and the large dimensions of the oblong forming the opening 30 of the axial stopping element 3.

In order to allow the engagement of the axial stop element 3 and the passage of the rotational stop structure 20, I3> 11 and L3> L1. As in the example, the shape of the opening 30 may be a similarity of the shape of the stop structure, with a ratio slightly greater than 1.

We obviously I3> I2 and L3> L2 and also L3> I2 to allow the engagement of the axial stop element 3 in the groove and its rotation around the shaft. For locking in translation of the axial stop element 3, I3 <L1.

For the assembly and use of the connection system which has just been described, the component 1 of the timepiece to be mounted is disposed on the shaft 2 (FIG 1). The axial stopping element 3 is positioned in front of the shaft 2, with the opening 30 oriented in a position which allows the engagement of the rotational stopping structure 20 in the opening 30. axial stop 3 is engaged on the shaft 2, in the groove, until it bears against the second axial stop structure 24 (FIG 2).

The axial stop member 3 is pivoted along the axis of the shaft 2, so that it occupies a stop position. The rotation is, according to the example, about 90 °, to prepare the next step and the cooperation with the radial holding member 4 (Fig. 3).

The radial retaining element 4 is positioned in front of the shaft 2, with the opening 40 oriented in a position that allows the engagement of the rotational stop structure 20 in the opening 40. L radial holding element 4 is engaged on the shaft 2, at the same time as the axial stopping element 3 takes up position in the housing 42 of the radial holding element 4. If necessary, the angular position of the axial stop member 3 is adjusted to take up position in the housing 42 (Fig. 4).

Claims (8)

Depending on the method of attachment chosen for the radial retaining element 4, it is fixed either on the shaft 2 or on the axial locking element 3. [0038] Thus, the assembly formed the axial stopping elements 3 and the radial retaining element 4 have no degree of freedom with respect to the shaft 2, nor in translation thanks to the axial stopping element 3, nor in rotation thanks to the radiai holding element 4, games apart. The connection system proposed is particularly compact, because it allows to have a flying assembly of the watch component, that is to say that the shaft 2 has a free end. There is therefore no need for a frame element such as a bridge to hold the shaft 2 or the component 1. This connection system also makes it possible to guarantee the impact resistance of a piece of large mass, typically a barrel on his tree. Indeed, no disengagement can occur under the effect of a significant acceleration due to a shock. The connection system could also be used with a shaft 2 held at both ends, using it along the shaft 2 to adjust the play of the component. The various elements to be rotated are individually guided the adjustment of games and lovemaking is facilitated, insofar as the dimensions of the groove and the thickness of the locking element in translation can be easily controlled. In addition, the elements can be handled and disassembled easily, without playing on the deformation of elastic parts, if not during a possible hunting. As proposed in FIG. 6, the connection system which has just been described could be used by those skilled in the art to mount a push rod in a push tube. The push rod is then the shaft 2 as defined for the connecting system and the push tube or the middle part to which the push tube is integral, is the component 1 of the timepiece within the meaning of the claim . It is thus possible to provide a first axial stop structure 23 and a rotational stop structure 20 at the end of the push rod in order to mount an axial stop member 3 and a radial support element 4, in order to Assemble the push rod to the push tube. For the passage of the pusher in the pusher tube, one can provide shape profiles, as shown on the C-C cut, to prevent rotation of the pusher inside the tube. Those skilled in the art can still use such a connecting system to mount a regulating member (balance or tourbillon cage), a display disc, an element such as an oscillating weight, any mobile, a cam or any element that can advantageously benefit from such an assembly. The present description has been given by way of non-limiting illustration of the invention and the person skilled in the art may, where appropriate, be inspired by it, the scope of the protection conferred being however delimited by the content of the claims. claims 1. Timepiece linkage system comprising: - a shaft (2) on which is mounted a component (1) of a timepiece, said shaft (2) having a first stop structure axial (23), and a rotational stop structure (20), having a geometry for stopping rotation, - an axial stop member (3) having an opening (30) shaped to allow in at least one angular position of said axial stop element (3) with respect to the shaft (2), a translational engagement on the shaft (2) and the passage of the first axial stop structure (23). ), and a support on said first axial stop structure (23) in at least one other angular position, said stop position, - a radial holding element (4), arranged to cooperate integrally with the element of stop and having an opening (40) shaped to cooperate with the rotational stop structure ation (20) of said shaft (2) to prevent rotation of the holding member around said shaft (2). 2. Connecting system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a second axial stop structure (24), said stop element being positioned between the first and the second axial stop structures. 3. Connecting system according to claim 2, characterized in that the second axial stop structure (24) is formed by an insert (1) on the axis. 4. Connecting system according to claim 3, characterized in that the insert is selected from a member of a barrel, a regulating member, a display disc, a mobile, a cam, a winding member such as an oscillating weight or part of a watch case such as a middle part. Connecting system according to claim 2, characterized in that the second axial stop structure (24) is formed by a protruding portion (24) of the shaft (2). Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial locking element (3) has a profile (32) with which a profile (42) of the radial holding element (4) cooperates to lock it in rotation. Connection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotational stop structure (20) and the radial retaining element (4) are arranged to lock the axial stop element. (3) in a stop position. 8. Timepiece comprising a connecting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft (2) has a free end.